The Me List is a touching tale about the complexity of friendship, the importance of reserving judgment, and the rocky path that life takes as we get older. Julee Balko brings snark and heart to this journey of self-improvement with a keen eye for flawed characters.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Me List by Julee Balko, which is out now!
Ziplining despite being scared of heights. Learning yoga when you’re afraid of downward anything. Facing your strained relationship with your mother.
When Olivia writes a ME List, she picks 10 things to get her out of her suburban mom funk. But what she really needs is to figure out how to deal with her next-door neighbor, nemesis, and new boss-Patricia. Patricia is the top realtor in their town and has the perfect life. But when Olivia agrees to be Patricia’s assistant, she discovers Patricia’s life isn’t as perfect as she thought.
Can a list change a life?
Excerpt From Chapter 6
Olivia grabbed a notebook off her nightstand and wrote the numbers one through ten on it. She wrote Zipline in the number one space.
“Steve, you know that zipline place?”
“The one outside of town with the crazy ropes?”
“Yeah. Sammy really wants to go. We don’t have plans Saturday, right?”
“Nope. I can take her.”
“Yeah, I want to go too.”
“Sure, sounds great. I can go up there with her. My guess is at her age she’ll need a parent.”
“No. I want to do it too.”
Steve put down his book and looked at his wife. He moved his dirty blond hair out of his eyes, a habit he had but didn’t know he had. His hazel eyes were wide and bright. “It’s up high, you know.”
“Yes, I understand what zipline and rope course means. I want to do it.” Olivia looked at him with her “I’m serious” eyes.
“You remember the old church steeple, right?”
“Yes. But that was years ago. And I want to do it. I can do it.”
This time, she sounded very sure. Yes, she’d had a panic attack in an old church steeple that time when she looked down from the bell tower and realized how high up she was. And yes, she’d cried with every step they took, her back pressed against the wall, eyes closed as Steve led her down the stairs one at a time. And yes, she could still hear the old lady chuckling at her as she connected with solid ground. She’d sat down, kissed her hand, and touched the ground because she was so thankful. Still, zipline was going on the list. She was going to face her fear of heights, for herself and for Sammy.
Olivia thought about asking Steve about her list, but something inside said to her, “No. This list is mine.” And besides, after he’d joked about the zipline place, she didn’t want his input. This was important to her.
“I’m going downstairs for a bit. You coming down or reading up here?” Olivia asked.
“Let me finish this chapter; then I’ll come hang.”
“Read for as long as you like.” Olivia kissed him on the forehead because that was the answer she wanted. She wanted to be alone with her list.
Nine spots left. Nine ways she could improve her life, take a chance, or just do something for herself. Olivia shuffled uncomfortably on the tan couch. She propped a yellow pillow behind her back and looked down at herself. Not in a judgy, self-hate kind of way. More in a loving,
what-do-you-need kind of way. And it was with her body and heart in mind that she knew what to write for number two. She had never done it, but she had the pants. Number two: Yoga.
Number three called to Olivia from deep within her heart. Something she used to do all the time but hadn’t done in years. But as she wrote the word—Sing—it felt foolish. Do adults still sing? She wasn’t a church choir kind of girl. But who was she to judge herself? Singing brought her happiness, and this was her list. She’d figure out the how later.
Number four would not go over well with her husband.
